I have had work done by Heather at Idle Hand. I love her. Also Greg Rojas at Everlasting (used to be at One Shot).I am getting Tattooed at Black Heart in the sort-of-near future (thanks to a birthday gift certificate), and I think I'm going to go with Jeff Rasher there.

_________________These shitbirds should pay for their own elections if they aren't going to be obligated by any democratic pretense. - MumblesDon't you know that vegan meat is the gateway drug to chicken addiction? Because GMO and trans-fats. - kaerlighed

I'm really glad that this thread exists and I hope more people post here. I plan on getting a new piece in the very very near future. This is the third time that I've heard about Greg Rojas so I'll probably be getting mine either from him or maybe industrial tattoo in Berkeley because a couple of my friends go there and all their tattoos look badass. The only tattoo that I've gotten in the bay area was from Mom's on Haight street, I was recommended by a friend to go there but it was pricey (well duh, its Haight street) so I don't want to go back there.

Brian Hutflies at Sacred Heart in Oakland is fantastic! He just did two big pieces for me and I'm constantly getting compliments on the beautiful color. He's got a wicked acerbic wit that makes sitting with him a lot of fun and he works fast.Shannon Archuleta in San Francisco did my first tattoo and she is a delightful human being as well as an incredible artist. She used to work at Braindrops but now has her own studio off Folsom, by Rainbow Grocery.My best friend just had beautiful work done by Megan Wilson at Picture Machine in San Francisco - I've seen her work and she's damn good. Also, hilarious.Cecelia at Seventh Son Tattoo (formerly of Warlock, formerly of Braindrops) is also incredible and highly desired. She books many months in advance. A couple of years ago Cecelia did a sleeve of flowers and other plant life for a friend and it's still the best tattoo I've ever seen.

Good luck!

_________________Sir Isaac Newton is the deadliest son of a bisque in space.

Anyone ever been to Diving Swallow in Oakland? I read on yelp they have vegan ink. They're a women's co-op and the environment seems friendly. This is my first tattoo and I want to feel welcome and comfortable, so I like the idea of being around women.

Thanks, mmc! Which artist did your friend work with? The lady I'm most interested in only wants to do pieces larger than a half sleeve and I'm looking for something smaller, unfortunately. Everyone's botanical examples are lovely, though.